I'm going to take the Steelers by 6 in XL...

[friesianrider]

What's everyone else's bet?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. That you're wrong.

:D

[friesianrider]

2. Pssh.

You talk a pretty big game...we'll see if you can back it up come next Sunday (you sure spanked my Eagles in the RS something wicked...that was a painful game to watch; I was embarassed for them). :)

How much do you think Seattle will win by?

[Ekirh]

3. My dislike for the Steelers

has been well announced to all I'm sure of it.

However, they are AFC . . . and I always root AFC. So I'm going to take Steelers by 10 . . .

[bigwillq]

4. It's going to be a great game

I give Pitt a slight edge but after watching what Seattle did last night, no one should ever doubt them. I thought they were a bit overrated coming into the playoffs but they have proven me wrong.

[friesianrider]

5. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Seattle won, however...

While they appeared impressive last night, I think that was due mostly to the fact Carolina laid a steaming turd on the field.

It should be a good game nonetheless - I think both teams will have to fight hard if they want to win.

[bigwillq]

6. Yeah Carolina was pretty bad

What hurt them was their running game. Two guys out before the game even started and then another back gets hurt. It's easy to defend against a team that you know is going to have to throw the ball in order to win.

[opiate69]

10. ...and the fact that they laid a steaming turd onthe field

wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that the Seahawks played really, really well?

[northzax]

11. yeah, seems everyone the Seahawks play

simply lays big steaming turds. Eventually, you have to look at another reason. They have a better offense than Pittsburgh and a seriously underrated defense. They did just go through two of the top four defenses in the league like butter.

[kick-ass-bob]

14. Both happened.

Seattle played to near perfection, yes. They ran the ball well, they threw the ball well - did they even have a turnover? And the defense stopped what they needed to stop. Once Goings went out from the helmet to helmet hit, there really was no hope for the Panthers.

However, I could tell in the first 10 minutes of the game that the Panthers that showed up the last 3 weeks were not on the field, however. Carolina did not play like they have (missing tackles ALL over the place, dropping balls, etc). So it wasn't like Goings getting knocked out had much bearing at that point.

That's why it was so lopsided.

PS - I'm taking the Seahawks.

[friesianrider]

15. Not in my opinion, no...

I didn't think they did anything impressive - they didn't have to. Sort of like when they played the Eagles, or whenDenver beat the Patriots.

Carolina lost that game more than Seattle won it, IMHO.

[timber84]

16. Fries everyone here in Charlotte talking about how bad they

sucked not how good the Hawks were.

[friesianrider]

17. I agree...

Just like when Seattle played the Eagles or when the Patriots played Denver - those games were lost by Philly and New England, not really won by Seattle or Denver. They really only had to show up to win.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not doubting Seattle is a very good team - but I watched the game start to finish and they did nothing to impress me. They just capitalized on several game-breaking mistakes (not difficult, especially at this level) and the pressure was off the rest of the game. Carolina lost that game more than Seattle won it. And, I have yet to see them really be challenged by a team playing at their peak.

If Pittsburgh plays like they have during the last few weeks, Seattle will get crushed.

[Ravenseye]

7. Steelers by 10

If they're saying Steelers +4 and over under 49, take the Steelers to cover the spread, but take the under.

Seahawks are a good team, all respect to them, but after watching all these playoff games I just don't feel that Seattle really has been tested yet. Washington was unimpressive, and Carolina was screwed by having their fourth string running back in the game, along with Delhomme's implosion.

Meanwhile the Steelers have just gone through the top three seeds in the AFC, including games at Indy and Mile High, considered to be very very difficult road games. Ben is playing near perfect, the defense is adjusting to each different offense and countering them all...

I can Seattle winning. I can see them making a game of it. I just wouldn't put my money on either.

[friesianrider]

9. Yeah, I'm right there with you...

"Seahawks are a good team, all respect to them, but after watching all these playoff games I just don't feel that Seattle really has been tested yet. Washington was unimpressive, and Carolina was screwed by having their fourth string running back in the game, along with Delhomme's implosion."

Couldn't have said it better. If the Steelers and Big Ben play like they did in Indy, I have no doubt they will easily beat Seattle.

[SpiralHawk]

8. Going with the SeaHawks

I'm a Patriots fan since the early days of Babe Parilli, Gino Capiletti, Jimmy Colclough, Nick Bonoconti, and all the rest. But...

I thought Denver was going to stampede all the way. But...

At any rate, I respect the Steelers -- always have -- but think the momentum is going west and the SeaHawks will take the Super Bowl by 3.

PS - how could I not support fellow hawks? That would be unPatriotic where I come from.

[Robeson]

12. This season has been so unpredictable, that I'd hate to predict....

...honestly, this season has been a surprise all the way around. Who knows? :shrug:

[KitchenWitch]

13. No doubt

Preseason predictions had our Vikings winning it all...so much for prognostication!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

18. In many ways

the teams are mirror images. Both run the ball well, have efficient and balanced attacks and play tough defense.
When both teams are equal, I look to the quarterbacks. In this case, Hasselbeck has more experience than Ben. Not slighting Ben, but he has been in the league two years, Matt is in his 8th year. My prediction? Seahawks by 10 :)
Of course I live in Everett, about 30 miles north of Seattle so I might be a bit biased...........